Library Lines ...

OOPS! How confused were you to see an old "Library Lines" column appearing in last week's Feb. 10, "Castro County News?" Editor Lynda swears she was not checking to see if we were alert; she noted that the correct column wasn’t retrieved! So, let's try a current column!

Randell Whaley was guest speaker at the Dimmitt Book Club meeting held recently here at Rhoads Memorial Library. The local author spoke about his writing process and noted that he writes in genres ranging from Westerns to Sci-Fi.

The next Dimmitt Book Club meeting is set for Wednesday, April 13, at 2 p.m. in our meeting room. Club member Mary Ruth Baird will present the program on "The Titanic." No March meeting is scheduled.

Speaking of Mary Ruth: her sister, the late Charlene (Weaver) Pietsek, would have turned 70 years old last Saturday, Feb 12. In memory of Charlene, Mary Ruth has donated the seven volume Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series of books to our library as each book was released.

The books were written by Mary Ruth's childhood friend, Margaret Mizushima, and are a favorite checkout among our patrons. Thank you, Mary Ruth, for your generosity.

You may wish to call us before venturing out on snowy, icy days to be sure we are open. On Thursday, Feb. 3, we opened at 10 a.m. instead of our normal 9 a.m. as County Judge Gerber announced a late opening. Our phone number is 806-647-3532.

Upon our arrival that day at 10 a.m., one of our favorite patrons braved the elements and drove up to shovel snow off our front sidewalk. Thank you, Scott Martin, for your kindness.

IRS 1040 and 1040-SR forms and instruction booklets have arrived and can be picked up at our circulation desk. The 2021 income tax forms are free of charge on a first come, first serve basis.

Hopefully you have already picked up the February 2022 Young Scientists' take-and-make kits for your youngster if you wanted one as they are all gone. "Dancing Hearts" was the theme of the kits, which were provided courtesy of Felice Acker, Castro County agent with Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service. Kits arrive here the first Tuesday of each month and are distributed first come, first serve.

Speaking of Felice, we are so proud of her for receiving the highly coveted Superior Service Award from the AgriLife Extension Service. It is the group's highest award given to deserving personnel, recognizing their exemplary service, programming, and outstanding work.

This special recognition comes as no surprise to us as she has been in charge of Terrific Tuesdays held here at the library for years and has had other programs and activities, such as Science Saturdays and the current Young Scientist's take-and-make kits. These efforts are in addition to her 4-H leadership as well as other programs of interest to Castro County residents. Congratulations, Felice!

Teresa (Terrie) Fuentes is sharing part of her Betty Boop collection with us as our Display for the Month of February 2022. Items range from a large alarm clock to handbags to jewelry, all bearing the likeness of the iconic character.

Early voting in the Democratic and Republican primaries began this week on Monday, Feb. 14, and will continue through Feb. 25. The local voting site is in the Castro County Courthouse. Election day is March 1.

Thursday, March 3, is the date scheduled for a Diabetes Support Group meeting here in our meeting room at 5:30 p.m. Courtney Lowe of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has conducted such events here in the past and hopes to resume doing so on a regular basis. She is the Extension Agent specializing in health topics for Castro, Hale, and Lamb Counties.

We will be closed Saturday, Feb. 19, in observance of Monday's Presidents' Day. We will re-open at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 22.

Until then, Happy Reading!